‘flexbook’, a concept device by taiwan-based designer hao-chun huang, offers portable, multi-use computing within a single device. the concept was shortlisted from over 1000 designs in our recent designboom competition ‘a life with future computing‘, organized in collaboration with FUJITSU. with a waterproof keypad and 21:9 screen, ‘flexbook’ is designed for portability and range of use among the constantly connected. featuring a flexible structure with a center joint, the laptop can be folded into a range of configurations, while a 180-degreeswivel touch screen offers different configurations of viewing, including a laptop and tablet mode.

the design lets the device’s shape reflect its functionality: folded as a book for reading e-books, a tablet for browsing newspapers or in crowded environments, or a laptop when preparing typed documents. ‘flexbook’ is also easily portable, serving as its own case when folded it in half. the device is further customizable through the availability of easily swappable rubber skins, which huang envisions available for purchase online where users can select their own colours and patterned textures.

concept illustration of the range of possible configurations of the device

‘flexbook’ can be folded for easy portability, or used as a gaming device, e-reader, tablet, or laptop

rendering of some of the possible uses of ‘flexbook’

— those wishing to republish an excerpt of this article, please have the courtesy to link back to this original article, and to mention that the project was designed for the ‘FUJITSU design award: a life with future computing’ competition, organized by designboom in collaboration with FUJITSU. thank you.

The ideal laptop would be a team with two touch screens.
In one of them could put a virtual keyboard or mouse.
Thus, it could hide when they wanted and use the screen to navigate, play games, watch movies …

The Starwars lightsaber was designed in 1970’s but do we have them today? Just because it’s an old idea doesn’t mean it’s a reality yet.

Why would anyone want a laptop that’s 1inch thick when it could be 1/2″ thick? 4 layers mean theres 8 top and bottom housing thickness, which is a huge waste.

The whole point of a flexible display is that it doesn’t require a hinge. So why are you adding a hinge on a flexible screen? That’s like adding wheels to a ship. I know, so you can make it twice as thick as before right? Insane.

This is Hao-Chun, and this is the first time I write comment on this post.
Maybe there’s some kind of misunderstanding here, but whenever I wrote a comment I will definitely use my own name.

The beauty of designing a concept is that you are dare to explore by adopting possible technology.
Just like how people would embrace the concept cars which envision the future in a fresh way.
Since this is not a design competition for current laptops, thought we could push it a bit further.

I had a lot of fun when doing this concept, and it’s awesome to know that people actually like it a lot.
I felt grateful to have this chance to be one of the shortlisted entry , and I believed it’s very important to hear from people as a product designer.
I leave my e-mail here and I’ll be grateful if any of you like to share thoughts with me :]

I think it´s a really GREAT proyect. And think about this:
Imagine you can travel trought the time and you go to the stone age. So, you found a prehistorical man and you say to him: you know, in the future, you will be able to talk and even see somebody that is 1000 kilometers away…
obviously he would not believe you.
so, the point is: EVERYTHING is possible…unless you like to limitate your mind with the word IMPOSSIBLE.
(my english it´s not good, but i don´t care ajajj)

Nice conceptual design hao… but i wonder if the screen is flexible then why didnt you use the same concept for the keyboard thing? I think you kept it solid here for storage of solid battery, chip board, blue ray drive, and ports etc! By 2013 if flexi screen technology would be a reality, then flexi keyboard with flexi chip, battery, ports would also come to a reality!! drive will be no more by then! Imagine how much thickness we could reduce by this!! If your concept aimed to make portable compact notebook then solid thick keyboard with same old push button style keys is not goin with the high tech flexi screen. It’s like, Pulling a highspeed train by an old steam engine! or having a 4g mobile handset with outer telescopic antenna!!
Anyways… a good concept but need to furnish it more… Cheers!

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